BY BALIKIS AJOYO
Trainees under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme at the Federal Polytechnic Daura, Katsina State, have expressed concern over the delay in the payment of their training allowances and grants by the Federal Ministry of Education.
Some of the trainees, who spoke with The PUNCH in Kano on Tuesday, lamented the prolonged delay, saying there had been no official explanation for the non-payment.
One of the trainees, Abdullahi Mohammad, said the silence surrounding the unpaid allowances and grants had left many participants frustrated, especially after spending personal funds throughout the six-month training.
“They promised to give us allowances, a grant and certificate after graduation. But none of these was given to us,” Mohammad said.
He added that the delay had prevented many beneficiaries from applying the practical skills they acquired during the programme.
“If they had given us what they promised us (grants), after the training, our story would have been different by now because we would have gone far by now,” he said.
Another trainee, Aisha Musa, said she spent a significant amount on transportation between Malumfashi and Daura during the training period but had yet to receive any financial support.
“I spent a lot of money on transportation during the training programme and yet there is nothing to show for it,” Musa said.
The trainees called on the Federal Ministry of Education and the management of the TVET programme to fulfil the promises made to them, noting that many participants committed their time and resources based on those assurances.
“We urge the management of Federal Polytechnic Daura, Katsina TVET Training Centre to provide a comprehensive update regarding the issues raised to ease tension and improve transparency,” Mohammad added.
Responding, the Coordinator of the TVET programme at the Federal Polytechnic Daura Centre, Dr Aziz Fatai, said the complaints had been forwarded to the TVET management.
He assured the trainees that the outstanding stipends would be paid soon, while the start-up grants would be released after the ongoing assessment of participants’ folders and the certification process by the awarding body.
“Payment to students has been processed. Payment is delayed due to efforts by the ministry to harmonise the biometric attendance activities of centres,” he said.
PUNCH